Andrew McCutchen blasts his 22nd homer to give the Pirates a win

If you really thought that Andrew McCutchen hitting yet another homer off a lefty was a catch-22, then you thought wrong.

The home run, his second went 442 feet and was a solo shot that tied the game at one and got the Pirates offense going in a 6-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

The scoring started in the bottom of the third inning when Marco Scutaro scored thanks to Alex Presley’s second error of the season.

Following the McCutchen shot to tie things up at one, Josh Rutledge hit a triple which was able to plate catcher Wilin Rosario.

Teams have decimated the Pirates thus far in the second half of the season with big innings, but this time it was the Pirates who did the deed with their four run fifth inning.

It started with an RBI groundout from Presley which plated Michael McKenry. The inning continued when Drew Sutton’s single brought in Clint Barmes. Sutton would then score on a wild pitch to make the Pirates lead 4-2. McCutchen who previously singled would advance to second base on the wild pitch and would score when Casey McGehee hit a single.

The night’s starter Erik Bedard went 6 2/3 innings throwing 94 pitches, 60 of which were strikes. He allowed 12 base runners and left the bases loaded for Jared Hughes who relieved Bedard. Despite a 3-2 count on Cuddyer, Hughes was able to get the out via a deep fly out to keep the three run lead.

The Pirates were not done though, as in the top of the eighth inning, McKenry plated Neil Walker who had an infield single with a double that found a gap and rolled to the wall.

Chris Resop pitched the bottom half of the inning and emerged without allowing a run.

Juan Cruz pitched the bottom of the ninth inning and was able to set down the first two Rockies he faced before he lost control of his pitches and turned the ball over to closer Joel Hanrahan.

Hanrahan came in to face Cuddyer, walking him on four pitches. The next batter, pinch hitter Tyler Colvin battled against Hanrahan, but struck out, thus giving the Pirates the win, their 50th of the season.

Earlier in the night, the Cincinnati Reds shutout the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0 meaning they continue to hold a one game lead over the Pirates for the NL Central lead.

Winning Pitcher: Erik Bedard 5-10

Losing Pitcher: Christian Friedrich 5-7

Save: Joel Hanrahan (25)

MVP: Andrew McCutchen 2-4 HR (22), RBI (65)

LVP: Pedro Alvarez 0-5 3 K’s and leaves bases loaded in the top of the ninth

Play of the Game: Jared Hughes coming in with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and stranding the bases loaded.

Home Runs: McCutchen (22)

Up Next: Tuesday, July 18 at Colorado, at 3:10 p.m. EDT

Probable Starters: James McDonald (9-3 2.59 ERA) vs. Jeremy Guthrie (3-9 6.14 ERA)